College Football Recruiting 2013: Florida Among 5-Star CB's Top Favorites

Vernon Hargreaves III can go to literally any program he wants—the Wharton High School (Tampa, Florida) star has upwards of 40 offers ranging coast-to-coast, border-to-border.

It is hardly a surprise—VHIII is a unanimous 5-star cornerback that can do everything and then some. Regardless of what program he chooses, he's a candidate to be a freshman starter.

But while nearly 50 offers is exciting—and the potential to go anywhere in the country is something many would relish—Hargreaves' favorites come as absolutely no surprise.

The CB recently told Josh Newberg of 247Sports.com, "Miami, Florida and USF are the schools I'm favoring right now;" adding, "I haven't eliminated anyone, but I've taken a few visits and seen some things and this is where things stand right now."

You may wonder why USF is included when offers from Notre Dame, Michigan, Ohio State and USC are available, but the answer is simple: his father coaches there.

Miami and Florida speak for themselves, and it seems quite obvious that Hargreaves has no desire to leave the Sunshine State.

The Gators have been an absolute juggernaut on the trail this year. They've landed 18 recruits in the 2013 class thus far, and 17 of them are ESPN 4-stars or higher.

The class includes only one cornerback thus far—4-star CB Tre' Bell of St. Peter's Prep, Jersey City, New Jersey—and Florida signed only two cornerbacks in the 2012 class.

Miami is always a threat with their tradition of defensive back talent, and last year they bagged a top-flight talent in Tracy Howard and four other cornerbacks.

So far this year, their small 2012 class of seven does not include a corner.

As for USF, their biggest selling point is VHIII's father, his familiarity with the program and their rise to relevance in recent years. The 5-star CB is going to be a star wherever he goes, and he may just want to be part of the ascension of the South Florida Bulls.

He's not ready to make a decision and, as he said, no school has been eliminated just yet.

Hargreaves naming his three favorites only confirms what many expected, and should he wind up anywhere outside of the state, we can then talk about surprises.